Federer overcomes Wawrinka in Shanghai to clinch world No. 1 for 300 weeks
October 11, 2012 · Print This Article
Shanghai Rolex Masters—China
Top seed Roger Federer overcame an early onslaught by his good friend Stanislas Wawrinka on Thursday at the Shanghai Masters in China, before prevailing 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-0.
In a match that was highly entertaining for two sets, Federer stood his ground as his lower ranked countryman blasted away from the baseline. Needing one hour and 56 minutes to advance, Federer dropped six aces, won 67 percent of his first serve points and broke serve on four occasions. Improving to 12-1 against Wawrinka in lifetime meetings, Federer also won his sixth straight tiebreaker against his Olympic partner.
With the victory, the top seed locked up the No. 1 ranking for the week irrespective of how Novak Djokovic finishes the event, and will hit 300 weeks as world No. 1 on Monday.
Djokovic progressed to the final eight by easily disposing of Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-3. Claiming his third career Beijing title last week, Djokovic improved to a Tour-best 67-11 in 2012.
Djokovic will next face Tommy Haas, who continued his splendid play this season by ousting Janko Tipsarevic 6-2, 6-1.
Reigning US Open winner Andy Murray kept his hopes of the three-peat alive when he blew past Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-2, 6-2. Murray, who is struggling with a cold this week, will next take on Radek Stepanek. The veteran Czech player dismissed No. 8 seed John Isner 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3.
Elsewhere, No. 4 seed Tomas Berdych defeated Sam Querrey 6-2, 6-7(3), 6-4 and No. 5 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga got passed Marcos Baghdatis 6-2, 7-6(2).
The powerful duo will face off in the quarterfinals on Friday.
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